All items · Electrical
Microwave ovens
Also covers: microwave, microwave cooker, countertop microwave
Why shops refuse it
Microwaves need electrical and leakage-safety checks that many charity shops are not equipped to carry out.
What to do instead
A working appliance may be accepted by a specialist electrical reuse project; otherwise use a retailer or council WEEE service.
Charity by charity
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Can't accept
Barnardo's
Their wording
“Small electricals (food processors, coffee grinders) — Some small electricals such as microwaves, food processors and coffee grinders”
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Can't accept
British Red Cross
Microwaves are costly to test — standard appliance testers may not be qualified for the radiation tests.
Their wording
“Microwaves”
-
Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
Their wording
“Microwaves”
-
Can't accept
Claire House Children's Hospice
broad category rule
Blanket exclusion of electrical items, though brand-new factory-sealed hard drives, SD cards or USB sticks are excepted.
Their wording
“Electrical items”
-
Can't accept
Keech Hospice Care
Microwaves also not accepted.
Their wording
“washing machines, dishwashers, cookers”
-
Can't accept
Phyllis Tuckwell
broad category rule
No electrical items of any kind currently accepted
Their wording
“Unfortunately we are currently unable to accept any electrical items or suitcases.”
-
Can't accept
St Giles Hospice
Includes fridges, tumble dryers, washing machines, ovens and microwaves
Their wording
“Fridges, tumble dryers, washing machines, washer dryers”
-
Can't accept
Sue Ryder
White goods plus microwaves.
Their wording
“donated white goods - e.g. fridges, freezers or washing machines”
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Can't accept
Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
Microwaves; white goods; fridges/freezers (Fleetwood shop may make exceptions - call ahead)
Their wording
“White goods: washers/dryers/dishwashers/cookers/”
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Can't accept
Wales Air Ambulance
Their wording
“Donated white goods and microwaves”
-
Check first
Save the Children
broad category rule
Exception: accepted at selected stores — donors are told to check first.
Their wording
“unable to accept electrical goods (except in selected stores - please check first)”
Not mentioned in 33 charities' guidance
Absence from a charity's list doesn't mean they accept it — it just isn't singled out. Ask your local shop.
- Not mentioned Acorns Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Age UK
- Not mentioned British Heart Foundation
- Not mentioned Cornwall Hospice Care
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned DEBRA
- Not mentioned Dogs Trust
- Not mentioned Dorothy House
- Not mentioned Emmaus
- Not mentioned FARA Charity Shops
- Not mentioned Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
- Not mentioned LOROS Hospice
- Not mentioned Marie Curie
- Not mentioned Octavia Foundation
- Not mentioned Overgate Hospice
- Not mentioned Oxfam
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Princess Alice Hospice
- Not mentioned Salvation Army (SATCoL)
- Not mentioned Samaritans
- Not mentioned Scope
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned Shaw Trust
- Not mentioned Shelter
- Not mentioned St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
- Not mentioned St Christopher's Hospice
- Not mentioned St Peter's Hospice
- Not mentioned St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
- Not mentioned The Children's Trust
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)